Method and apparatus for winding bags onto a spindle

Abstract

A method and apparatus for winding film includes guiding a strip of the film through a winding machine to a rotating spindle. At least one deflector and/or at least one source of air, such as a nozzle, is moved to the path of the film downstream from the spindle, and an airhorn is moved to the spindle. The leading edge of the strip is directed into the airhorn by the deflector and/or air from the nozzle, and then directed by air within the airhorn into its own nip. Finally, the strip is wound about the spindle.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for winding film comprising: guiding a strip of the film through a winding machine on a plurality of ropes;   rotating a spindle;   moving at least one deflector between the plurality of ropes into contact with the film upstream of an airhorn;   moving the airhorn to the spindle;   directing a leading edge of the strip into the airhorn with the deflector;   directing the leading edge of the strip into its own nip; and   winding the strip about the spindle.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of directing the leading edge of the strip into the airhorn further includes directing a blast of air toward the airhorn and between the ropes into the path of the film upstream of the airhorn. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 1 further including the step of separating a first strip of the film from a second strip of the film. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1 further including the step of moving the spindle to a winding position after the strip has been directed into its own nip. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1 further including the step of moving the airhorn away from the spindle after the strip has been directed into its own nip. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 1 further including the step of moving the deflector out of the path of the film after the strip has been directed into its own nip. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 1 including the step of moving a deflector strip from a resting position to between an upstream edge of the airhorn and the strip. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a rotatable turret, upon which the spindle is mounted. 
     
     
       9. A method for winding film comprising: guiding a strip of the film through a winding machine on a plurality of ropes;   rotating a spindle;   moving an airhorn to the spindle;   directing a leading edge of the strip into the airhorn by directing a blast of air toward the airhorn and between the ropes and into the path of the film upstream of the airhorn;   moving at least one deflector into contact with the film upstream of the airhorn;   directing the leading edge of the strip into the airhorn and further into its own nip; and   winding the strip about the spindle.   
     
     
       10. An apparatus for winding film comprising: a plurality of ropes for guiding the film;   a pair of haul-in rolls,   a rotatable spindle;   at least one deflector mounted on a movable arm, wherein the deflector is moved between the ropes and into contact with the film upstream of the airhorn;   an airhorn, movable to be disposed over the spindle; and   a source of air in the airhorn to direct the leading edge of the strip into its own nip.   
     
     
       11. The apparatus of claim 10 including at least one source of air disposed to direct a blast of air toward the airhorn and between the ropes into the path of the film upstream of the airhorn. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the source of air and the deflector are disposed between the spindle and a downstream edge of the airhorn. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim 10 further including an a pair of interrupt rolls disposed in the path of the film, upstream of the spindle. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the airhorn is movable between a position adjacent to and a position away from the spindle. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the deflector is movable between a position in and a position out of the path of the film. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim 10 including a deflector strip attached to the airhorn and disposed upstream of the airhorn. 
     
     
       17. An apparatus for winding film comprising: a plurality of ropes guiding for guiding the film;   a pair of haul-in rolls;   a rotatable spindle;   at least one source of air disposed to direct a blast of air toward the airhorn and between the ropes and into the path of the film upstream of the airhorn;   at least one deflector mounted on a movable arm, wherein the deflector is disposed in a path of and contacts the film upstream of the airhorn;   an airhorn, movable to be disposed over the spindle; and   a source of air in the airhorn wherein the leading edge of the strip is directed into its own nip.   
     
     
       18. A method for transferring film to a spindle mounted on a turret comprising:. guiding a leading edge of a strip of the film to the spindle on a plurality of ropes;   moving an airhorn to the spindle;   moving at least one deflector between the ropes and into contact with the film upstream of the airhorn, thereby directing the leading edge of the strip into the airhorn;   directing the leading edge of the strip into its own nip; and   rotating the spindle, thereby winding the strip about the spindle.   
     
     
       19. The method of claim 18 including the step of blowing air in the path of the film so as to deflect the leading edge of the film into the airhorn. 
     
     
       20. The method of claim 18 including the step of placing a deflector strip between an upstream edge of the airhorn and the film. 
     
     
       21. The method of claim 18 including the step of moving the spindle to a winding position after the step of directing the strip into its own nip. 
     
     
       22. The method of claim 18 including the step of moving a deflector strip from a resting position to an active position between an upstream edge of the airhorn and the film. 
     
     
       23. The method of claim 18 including the steps of moving the airhorn, deflector and deflector strip to resting positions. 
     
     
       24. A method for transferring film to a spindle mounted on a turret comprising: guiding a leading edge of a strip of the film to the spindle on a plurality of ropes;   moving an airhorn to the spindle;   blowing air toward the airhorn and between the ropes and into the path of the film upstream of the airhorn, thereby directing the leading edge of the strip into the airhorn;   moving at least one deflector into contact with the film upstream of the airhorn;   directing the leading edge of the strip into its own nip within the airhorn; and   rotating the spindle, thereby winding the strip about the spindle.   
     
     
       25. An apparatus for transferring film comprising: a plurality of ropes to guide the film;   a rotatable spindle mounted on a turret;   an airhorn, disposed to be movable to the spindle; and   at least one deflector, mounted to be movable between the ropes and into contact with the film upstream of the airhorn.   
     
     
       26. The apparatus of claim 25 including at least one source of air disposed to blow air toward the airhorn and between the ropes into the path of the film so as to deflect a leading edge of the film into the airhorn. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of claim 25 including a deflector strip mounted on an upstream edge of the airhorn. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the turret is rotatable. 
     
     
       29. An apparatus for transferring film moving along a path comprising: a plurality of ropes guiding for guiding the film;   a rotatable spindle mounted on a turret;   at least one deflector mounted to be movable into the path of the film downstream of the spindle;   an airhorn, disposed to be movable to the spindle; and   at least one source of air disposed to blow air toward the airhorn and between the ropes and into a path of the film.